How do you decide whether to test for paternity before or after the child has been born? In this article we are going to look at the advantages and disadvantages of both so that you will be able to decide which is best for you.
Prenatal paternity testing is slightly more complicated than postnatal paternity testing. Before birth a physician or gynecologist needs to be involved to do an amniocentesis or CVS in order to collect a sample for testing, while from birth onwards all that is needed is to get a swab of the inside of the cheeks which can be done quite harmlessly and painlessly even on the youngest of infants.
A prenatal paternity test can however help with the psychological side of the relationship, making it easier for the father to bond with the child from the start, as well as helping to strengthen the bond between the father and mother. The uncertainty can lead to a lot of friction or frustration if the father is left wondering whether he really is the father or not.
Prenatal paternity tests can also cause discomfort in the mother and has a higher risk than postnatal paternity tests. If the sample is taken using CVS then light spotting may also occur in the mother. It is therefore best, if you decide to go for a prenatal paternity test to discuss this with your physician or gynecologist beforehand to ensure that you are not in danger.
You may also want to have a prenatal paternity test in order to confirm the financial responsibility for the child. The biological father of the child is responsible for paying maintenance for the child and the earlier you can confirm the biological father, the sooner you may be able to start receiving payments towards maintenance and this may help with medical expenses related to the pregnancy and birth.
Both prenatal and postnatal paternity tests have their advantages and disadvantages and which one you choose is really up to you. A prenatal paternity test generally needs to include a physician or gynecologist to do an amniocentesis or CVS and it does hold a risk for the mother and child as with other prenatal tests, however prenatal paternity tests may have the advantage of enhancing the psychological and emotional bond between father and child, as well as ensuring that the father is responsible for expenses related to the child. If you opt for a prenatal paternity test you should discuss this with your doctor to ensure that it is the best thing for you and the baby and that you are in no way endangering the child.
Glossary:
Amniocentesis: the extraction of fluid surrounding the fetus
CVS: extraction of choroniac villi from the placenta
Chorionic villi: fingerlike projections that connect the embryo to the placenta